Published: Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 5:35 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 5:35 p.m.

THIS IS A CORRECTED VERSION. The photo caption misspelled the name of Waterford beekeeper John Baum.

Don't bother the bees and the bees won't bother you, as the saying goes.

That's especially hard to do for Waterford resident Eddie Cohen, who has only to look out his window to see two hobby beekeepers and about 20,000 bees.

He has complained numerous times to Leland officials, prompting town officials to review whether town ordinances prohibit beekeeping. A change in ordinances could lead to backlash from the beekeeping community because they say any risk from bees in residential areas is minimal and a ban would limit efforts to curb the invasion of Africanized bees.

As it stands, the town ordinance doesn't directly address the issue of keeping bees. It says tame or domestic fowl or livestock and other animals typically kept for productive purposes rather than pets are prohibited. Yet, if a problem persists, Town Manager David Hollis said, the town could address the issue.

"If it becomes an issue, we have to put something in front of council," Hollis said. "I'm waiting for planning and code to come back to me, but it doesn't look like we have anything to control the issue."

Barry Harris, a master beekeeper in the Wilmington area, said ordinances aren't necessary. "It's better off for the people and bees to resolve those conflicts between neighbors," he said.

In Southeastern North Carolina, only Burgaw has a strict ordinance against bees, he said.

Much of Harris' reason to see more bee hobbyists is to slow the threat of Africanized bees in the region. They are a blend of African and European bees noted for aggressive tendencies such as mass swarming and frequent stinging.

"With more European bees in the community, when Africanized bees get here, it will take longer for them to gain a foothold," he said.

John Baum and Bill Sacco, who keep the bees in Waterford, say the bees have posed few problems for neighbors other than some concern.

They both notified neighbors and landscapers about the hives placed in their side yards. No stings have occurred.

For the two, it's become a fun hobby that they hope will benefit the community. Both started their hives in the spring.

"We told them at the time we'd share some honey with all of them," Baum said.

Cohen could not be reached for comment after initially contacting the StarNews about his concerns.

But another neighbor, Les Christensen, , said he isn't worried about the hives.

"You don't even notice they are there," he said.

Harris said there are some dangers, however, because bees are like any wild animal.

A hive should not be approached after about 4 p.m. because of the increased danger of swarms, he said.

Both Baum and Sacco said they are aware of that.

But for the most part, Harris said, the threat is minimal because most bees forage three to six miles away.

"You're just as likely to run into them within that range as near their hive," he said.

<p class="bold allcaps">THIS IS A CORRECTED VERSION. The photo caption misspelled the name of Waterford beekeeper John Baum.</p>
<p>Don't bother the bees and the bees won't bother you, as the saying goes.</p><p>That's especially hard to do for Waterford resident Eddie Cohen, who has only to look out his window to see two hobby beekeepers and about 20,000 bees.</p><p>He has complained numerous times to <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9971"><b>Leland</b></a> officials, prompting town officials to review whether town ordinances prohibit beekeeping. A change in ordinances could lead to backlash from the beekeeping community because they say any risk from bees in residential areas is minimal and a ban would limit efforts to curb the invasion of Africanized bees.</p><p>As it stands, the town ordinance doesn't directly address the issue of keeping bees. It says tame or domestic fowl or livestock and other animals typically kept for productive purposes rather than pets are prohibited. Yet, if a problem persists, Town Manager David Hollis said, the town could address the issue.</p><p>"If it becomes an issue, we have to put something in front of council," Hollis said. "I'm waiting for planning and code to come back to me, but it doesn't look like we have anything to control the issue."</p><p>Barry Harris, a master beekeeper in the Wilmington area, said ordinances aren't necessary. "It's better off for the people and bees to resolve those conflicts between neighbors," he said. </p><p>In Southeastern North Carolina, only Burgaw has a strict ordinance against bees, he said.</p><p>Much of Harris' reason to see more bee hobbyists is to slow the threat of Africanized bees in the region. They are a blend of African and European bees noted for aggressive tendencies such as mass swarming and frequent stinging.</p><p>"With more European bees in the community, when Africanized bees get here, it will take longer for them to gain a foothold," he said.</p><p>John Baum and Bill Sacco, who keep the bees in Waterford, say the bees have posed few problems for neighbors other than some concern. </p><p>They both notified neighbors and landscapers about the hives placed in their side yards. No stings have occurred.</p><p>For the two, it's become a fun hobby that they hope will benefit the community. Both started their hives in the spring.</p><p>"We told them at the time we'd share some honey with all of them," Baum said.</p><p>Cohen could not be reached for comment after initially contacting the StarNews about his concerns.</p><p>But another neighbor, Les Christensen, , said he isn't worried about the hives.</p><p>"You don't even notice they are there," he said.</p><p>Harris said there are some dangers, however, because bees are like any wild animal.</p><p>A hive should not be approached after about 4 p.m. because of the increased danger of swarms, he said. </p><p>Both Baum and Sacco said they are aware of that.</p><p>But for the most part, Harris said, the threat is minimal because most bees forage three to six miles away.</p><p>"You're just as likely to run into them within that range as near their hive," he said.</p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9907"><b>Jason Gonzales</b></a>: 343-2075</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNews_Jason</i></p>